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Air America Radio. Food for thought, and it's about time!
p.s. Janeane Garofalo is an awesome radio show host.
thus spake merserene on March 31, 2004 18:53 |
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file under listening
Oh, can't believe I forgot to complain about the post office. The contract station really sucks - might as well not be a post office at all. I had to send out something overseas, but turned out that I would've had to pay USD$8 for one little envelope, just because the contract station doesn't have the smaller global priority mail envelopes available (which would have cost USD$5 instead). Why should I be punished and pay more for mail, when it is their fault that they don't stock certain envelopes? It's just dumb. So, I had to send my envelope out regular mail instead. Let's hope that the mail gets to France safely.
That guy working at the station about has it with me, since I'm always asking too many questions and giving him trouble about the lack of services/knowledge they have over there. But you know, I am the customer, without me, they wouldn't get paid. And I am the one being made to feel bad?! People who want to work in a people service industry, yet aren't prepared or happy to do so, shouldn't be there in the first place. They can shove their attitudes up you-know-where.
thus spake merserene on March 29, 2004 13:21 |
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file under oh no you didnt
Allergies. 'Tis the season.
Not only is there already pollen in the air, trees and things have been shedding like crazy lately. I walked to class and managed to have only 2 bits of tree flower/gunk land on me, and 1 bug that seemed to have come out of nowhere. Pleasant, I know. There were also the people who were hired to trim/clean people's yards, with their noisy blowers kicking up dust and stuff all over the place - when they know people are going to walk by! Of course, it didn't matter too much to them, as they were outfitted with earplugs and facial masks...
Spring is lovely, if only it doesn't come with itchy eyes and sneezing.
thus spake merserene on March 29, 2004 12:49 |
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file under living
My neighbors have impeccable timing. The ones adjacent and up the stairs - they had their first ever party, at least that I can remember. But in general my neighbors have impeccable timing. They always have to party the night before I have a big assignment due or something or other.
But this post won't just be about my neighbors. They get me riled up at times but they don't deserve that much of my attention.
So, things that have been going on in my little world and in the world in general - I had my first "real" experience as a litigator this morning. Had to argue a case in front of people who were judging me. No matter how prepared I might have felt last night, it sure felt different when I was up there at the podium. I was nervous. I stuttered. Ideas raced through my mind like crazy monkeys but I couldn't get them out fast enough to make them sound coherent. I had barely any time to even finish my first argument. The other people did alright, but one person in particular commanded the room. He looked and sounded like he knew what he was doing. Typical; one of those people who like to speak up in the classroom anyway. I am not one of those people, which is why I've long decided that I won't be one of those people who have to get up and speak. I'd be perfectly happy sitting behind a desk somewhere and talk to clients.
Now that's over, I feel like I have all the free time in the world, and I don't know what to do with myself. It's a mere feeling, because when I come back to reality, I know I have all of this work to do. I have this overwhelming urge to watch one of my French tapes, too. But it's so nice outside. But my allergies are also acting up a bit. Sneezy, itchy eyes... Then there are bugs to look forward to in about a month or two. Lovely.
And then the election thing in Taiwan - oy vey. The High Court declared that the incumbent president is the winner, but that doesn't stop all these people from protesting. Protesting is fine; that's what people get to do in democracies, but it's the escalation into violence that I'm afraid of. It looks so bad, too. The fact the opposition has called on people to protest is irresponsible. It's hard to describe, but people in Taiwan get incited by leaders rather easily. People don't know how to "use" democracy too well just yet...I guess that's the best way to describe it.
Last but not least, I've been addicted to dinner mints. Or, the type of candy that dinner mints are - the soft, pepperminty confection that melts in the mouth. I could live on those.
thus spake merserene on March 27, 2004 10:38 |
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file under daily grind, politicking
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Sad. Beautiful. Uplifting. Unique. Profound.
See it. You won't regret it.
Never thought I'd actually hear myself saying this, but Jim Carrey is extraordinary. Slapstick comedy sells a lot of money, but he should stick with the serious stuff. What a fantastic performance. I have new-found respect for the man's acting.
Kate Winslet is fabulous, as always. You can't even tell she's not American in the movie. She's one of the most attractive actresses out there, even with weird colored hair. Hollywood needs more actresses who actually look like Women. Curves. Not someone who looks like she's been starving herself just to look "thin" on camera.
Can't stop thinking about this movie. It's better than Being John Malkovich.
Edited to add: There's even a clever website for the procedure in the movie! Just like there was a really clever one for Being John Malkovich when that movie came out. I love it.
thus spake merserene on March 21, 2004 18:51 |
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file under watching
My mom and I hardly ever talk politics. So our 30-minute conversation about the presidential elections in Taiwan was refreshing.
(Also found out China Airlines and EVA Air cut all ticket prices in half before the election to encourage Taiwanese people living abroad to go home and vote. No wonder people went in droves!)
I know which way I would have voted if I could. Never really understood why the country is split 50-50, but there really is an argument for the other side. Taiwanese economy is so tied to China's right now that many business people are afraid if the current president continues, their businesses will be affected. It's safer to vote for the other candidate. Some others want to see the parties rotate into power, as a sign of real exercise in democracy, so they voted for the other candidate. I can see those reasons. But I still don't agree.
It's no long-term solution to be afraid. Afraid of losing business, afraid of missiles, afraid of whatever. The moment you bow down to a bully, the bully will just continue bullying you. If the bully is smart, it should see that the person he picks on already depends on him. The person will come to you if he needs you. It's an inevitable part of global economy. But trying to scare him into submission? He will surely fight back. Never heard of reverse psychology, eh?
That aside, I still don't care for the other candidate. His supporters demonstrated in front of the Presidential Palace this morning, but apparently he himself went as well. Also, I'm unclear who said what exactly, but his party, the KMT, and I think even himself, have come right out and accused the president of staging the gunshot so he could win sympathy votes from people. Excuse me? If that isn't the sign of a sore loser, I don't know what is. If I had voted for him I'd surely regret it, because that's not how I'd want my leader to behave...making false accusations and calling the election plain "unfair." Especially since the High Court has already ordered all ballot boxes to be sealed and will look into the matter.
Given the situation in Taiwan - sadly, there were some protests that got out of hand as citizens clashed with the police, and some even drove cars into barriers formed by police who were trying to protect court houses - what kind of person would say such inflammtory comments? It may be free speech, but it's damn well irresponsible, especially because there is NO evidence whatsoever. They haven't even found the shooter. To stage a fake assassination attempt would be a huge gamble. If the shooter "misses" and shoots you in a critical spot, you're a goner. Even if the shooter is "successful" and only grazed you, you'd still be gambling on the prospect that maybe you would get sympathy votes.
And maybe I'm a sucker for the underdog, but I'd rather see someone with humble beginnings win (like the current Taiwanese president - son of an illiterate farmer and a laborer, but who worked hard for what he deserved) than someone who had money and old school connections (like his opponent, who is one of the richest people in Taiwan and has the KMT to back him up). Reminds me how Dubya basically had his family name to help him get into Yale and Harvard but none of the smarts to prove it. Always rubs me the wrong way.
thus spake merserene on March 20, 2004 23:12 |
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file under family, politicking
Of course, only after I turned it in did I realize the cover was in the WRONG COLOR. Damn. That's just bad. Now whoever gets to read it is going to be totally confused why I'm arguing for the other side...and points docked...
thus spake merserene on March 19, 2004 12:14 |
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file under oh no you didnt
IT'S DONE. I TURNED IT IN. UNREAL.
Had to, you know, virtually shout because I'm in the library and you can't really do that. And I'm on drugs. At least, this is the most exposure I'm ever going to get to it - feeling sorta like I'm in another person's body, and detached from everything.
But I'm wide awake.
Caffeine, man. What else? This is the most hardcore I've ever been with any, uh, substance. Unless you count 2 puffs of cigarette. No, not during this week. And this is legal. Scary, really, because I can't even imagine what it would be like for people who take real mind-altering drugs. Can't even remember how many hours of sleep I actually got in this past week. 8 maybe? Week? Feels sort of like an elongated, everlasting day. Seeing the light, embracing the darkness, then the light. It's weird but it felt like immortality. Not needing any sleep. And literally listening to life passing by, outside of your window as you focus your entire sight on the computer screen. Birds chirping. Parents honking their horns. School children playing. Silence. Parents honking their horns. Silence. Then the insects come out. The occasional strayed cat. And once again you greet the day.
thus spake merserene on March 19, 2004 09:52 |
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file under daily grind
And you think only U.S. politics can get dirty?
Taiwan opposition pulls Hitler ad
Taiwan's opposition has apologised for an election advertisement which compared President Chen Shui-bian to the German dictator, Adolf Hitler.
Hitler's picture appeared in a series of newspaper advertisements for the Kuomintang-led opposition.
It was withdrawn after protests from the island's small Jewish community.
Wow. Never thought I'd hear something like that coming out of Taiwan. Haven't lived there for years, but I was there right before the last election, which followed with the election of the current president. Seeing that it was the first time ever that someone outside of the Kuomingtang (KMT) was elected as president - someone who was really born and raised in Taiwan, at that - and that person has long been a progressive, liberal voice (his wife is in wheelchairs because of his politics - someone ran her over when her husband, then a lawyer, expressed his progressive ideas - the criminals wanted to "teach him a lesson"), I have a very hard time believing that President Chen has been acting "more and more like Hitler."
Calling people "Hitler" has the effect of totally detracting everyone from a discussion and raising some hard feelings - almost like a red herring - at least that's the way it is in the U.S., in many of the discussion/message boards that I have come across. It is unnecessary, and totally out of line. Unless someone committed the same atrocities that Hitler did, there is no way the comparison is appropriate.
Frankly, I never liked the current KMT opposition force. The combo who's running against the current president were 2 separate candidates the last time around, teaming up this time only because they realize this is their only chance. They always come across as unctuous and insincere, progenies of the rich and powerful. What they did with the ad was pretty awful; good thing they had the hindsight to apologize for it. But I must wonder: Would the ad have been withdrawn if the Jewish community didn't speak out?
If I remember correctly, the opposition, Lien & Soong, have both been educated in the U.S. (which was a huge deal in their time, and really only the smartest or the richest could do it). They have no excuse for being so ignorant.
The most ironic part of the ad, I think, was equating the violation of freedom of speech with Hitler. KMT, for almost 1/2 century, did exactly that in Taiwan - stifled people's speech and freedom of expression. Many who dared speak out against the government were jailed, killed off, or simply "disappeared." No one can ever forget the 228 Incident where tens of thousands of Taiwanese people were killed by the military, led by the KMT. Aftermath: Martial law in Taiwan, which wasn't even lifted until 1987; only since then has the island been able to move toward being "democratic." It's truly the pot calling the kettle black. If the now KMT opposition wants to point fingers, it should have looked at its own past and use itself as the perfect example.
thus spake merserene on March 12, 2004 12:58 |
link | comments (2) |
file under reading, politicking, cultural differences
High heels and stockings may be sexy, but I'll bet a woman didn't invent them. Geez, at least I hope not. They're some of the most uncomfortable, impractical things. What woman in her right mind would want to subject herself and other women to them?!
If it weren't for the semblance of professionalism (and conservatism), I wouldn't have worn them. I managed to ruin a brand new pair of pantyhoses this afternoon. I knew it was going downhill the moment I felt my big toe touching the inside of my left pump. Sure enough, when I took my foot out from my shoe to examine it, it had started to rip from the toe. Of course, why wouldn't it? Unless we're never supposed to walk in those things; otherwise pressure is always exerted on the balls of the feet and the big toes because of the incline. Makes total sense it'd start going from there. By the end of my journey home, the stocking had ripped at both toes, in addition to a gaping hole in the back of my thigh after a lovely ride on the public transportation. Pretty sure the wooden bench snagged it. It's crazy we have to spend money and wear something so flimsy and fragile.
And then of course, my heels killed. (Typed "hell" instead of "heel" there - Freudian much?) Again, why wouldn't they? Not as if they were cushioned and had lots of support. No, inevitably high heels have no cushioning whatsoever, allowing the feet to absorb the shock almost directly and instantaneously. I think I have permanent calluses on the balls of my feet from all the times I had to walk on high heels. The wounds of supposed sexiness never go away, folks! Hurt feet, sore ankles, bad back... And don't even get me started on all the really pointy, skinny heels that are all the rage right now. They totally discriminate against wide-feet gals! We look and feel ridiculous in them. Pointy shoes like that always remind me of clowns' shoes anyway. Gimme my sandals, sneakers, and granny shoes anyday.
thus spake merserene on March 11, 2004 16:58 |
link | comments (3) |
file under oh no you didnt, vanity
And I thought Gertrude and Hortense were really awful names...
Girl named Diot Coke back in 1379
"LONDON, England (AP) -- Naming your child after a popular soft drink could be seen as a little bit faddish but the parents of young Diot Coke might be forgiven -- they gave their baby daughter the name way back in 1379.
Researchers at Britain's National Archives believe that the little girl, born in West Riding in Yorkshire, was the unfortunate victim of the corruption of the name Dionisia. One of the diminutives derived from that name on its path to the modern day Denise was Diot.
The girl's surname is believed to be a variation on the name Cook.
Archivist George Redmonds, writing in the organization's Ancestors magazine, discovered in his scrutiny of the birth archives that names now considered to be masculine, such as Philip and Thomas, were once used for girls in the 14th century.
Redmonds also found that names such as Godelena, Helwise, Idony, Avice and Dionisia were more popular than some of the names now considered traditional, such as Mary."
thus spake merserene on March 09, 2004 23:57 |
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file under reading, oh no you didnt
The whole house smells like fried egg sandwiches. Sunny side up, pan-fried in a bit of margarine, topped with salt and freshly-ground pepper, in two slices of honey wheat bread. If it weren't for the fear of having too much cholestrol in the system, I'd probably eat about 1/2 dozen eggs in a day.
Vegetarian, I can do. Vegan? Nope, sorry. I like eggs too much. And crême brulée.
thus spake merserene on March 08, 2004 18:02 |
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file under tutti mangia
